Retrievable bridge plug or packer with sleeve valve



June l5, 1965 F. PHENlx 3,189,096

RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG OR PACKER WITH SLEEVE VALVE F. PHENIX June 15, 1965 RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG OR PACKER WITH SLEEVE VALVE Filed sept. 12, l 1961 ORNEY J/W @ya June 15, 1965 F. PHENIX 3,189,096

RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG OR PACKER WITH SLEEVE VALVE Filed Sept. l2, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Flaager' Phefza'x ATTORNEYS June 15, 1965 F. PHENIX 3,189,096

RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG OR PACKER WITH SLEEVE VALVE y Filed Sept.\ l2, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E Jy,

Player' P/zerzzlz fwd/,gm 5MG/Wm ORNEYS 4Z INVENTOR g United States Patent O Y ,3,189,096 RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG R PACKER WITH SLEEVE VALVE Fladger Phenix, Houston, Ili`ex., assigner to Halliburton Company, Duncan, Oklahoma, a corporation of Delaware Y v Y,

Filed Sept. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 137,672.

13 Claims. (Cl. 166-133) This invention relates to subsurface well apparatus and, moreV particularly, to a retrievable packer assembly.

During Well testing and complet-ion operations, it frequently is necessary to entirely bridge a well bore or seal the annular space between a conduit string and a well wall so as to vsegregate axially spaced Well zones. The bridge plugs or packer assemblies employed for this purpose must withstand sustained and severe axial forces, and often must be re'trievable at the completion of the operation for which installed. Heretofore, however, bridge plug and packer setting and releasing mechanisms have proven to be cumbersome and unreliable in operation and characterized by such structural complexity as to make their utilization ditlicult. Particular problems have been occasioned by a tendency of the packer to release prematurely from its set 'condition under the influence of high well pressures. Additional diiiiculty has been encountered in providing reliable and readily operable means [for equalizing well pressures before the release of the packer, so that it will be retrieved in an undamaged condition.

lPreviously employed setting and releasing arrange? ments have been predominantly mechanical in nature and have required a number of complex manipulative steps. Because of this, packer setting has been both difcult and tedious. Y

-An alternative approach at providing a satisfactory packer setting mechanism has involved the use of hydraulic setting means. In this arrangement, however, the attendant explosive, chemically generated, stored, or pumped provided pressurizing means for the setting iluid has created substantial operational and structural problems. As it has been difficult to maintain control on the pressurizing circuit', frequent failures in setting operations have resulted. Additionally, the high pressure setting requirements' have often made the operations of such mechanisms unsafe and their release d-ili'icult.

Accordingly, itis an' object of this invention to provide a retrievable well packer whichy is characterized by ease of setting and reliability in operation.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide such an apparatus including positive acting, relatively low pressure, hydraulic means for holding a packer element in set condition.

In addition to the foregoing objects, it is desired to present an apparatus as described including readily manipulatable releasing means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus having reliable means for equalizing pressure across the packer element prior to its release from a set condition. n

-In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, these objects are accomplished by a packer assembly which is adapted to be suspended in a Well. The -assembly includes an expansible slip type anchor and an axially compressible packer. The anchor is mounted 4on a mandrel below the packer and is provided with drag springs which engage a well wall to resist movement and rotation of the assembly. At the setting depth, the tubing' string is rotated and lowered slightly to release and operate a mandrel carried Wedge sleeve, the movement :of which is controlled by a I slot means between the anchor and sleeve. Axial movement of the wedge Sigg-,Q96 Patented June l5, 1965 ICC sleeve expands the slips `against the casing to prevent movement of the mandrel and the packer in the well.

The packer on the assembly is expanded by a packer sleeve which is slidably mounted on the mandrel. In a space provided between the mandrel and the packer sleeve, an annular sealing member is mounted which forms a one-way valve between the exterior of theJ bridge plug and a chamber which is enclosed by the mandrel, the sealing member and the packer sleeve. VThe sealing member permits flow of iluid into the chamber from the well annulus but blocks its flow out of the chamber. A passageway for conducting the uid out of the chamber is formed in the mandrel, extending from the chamber to a port which communicates through a sleeve valve with the Well annulus above the packer.

The packer is radially expanded by downward vmovement of the packer sleeve which atfects axial packer compression. Downward movement of the packer sleeve is accompanied by downward movement of the valve sleeve to close the exhaust port of the chamber. Suction in the chamber, created by chamber enlargement resulting from the movement of the packer sleeve, draws uid into the chamber. When the packer is fully expanded against the wall of the casing, movement of the packer sleeve stops. The packer sleeve cannot move upwardly again to allow the packer to collapse until some of the trapped iluid in the chamber is bled off, thus assuring that the packer will not collapse inadvertently.

To equalize the fluid pressure in the casing above and below the packer before eifect-ing its collapse, the mandrel is provided with a bore which terminates at oneend in ports adjacent the sleeve valve and at the opposite end in an opening which is exposed to the well bore below the packer. When the packer is expanded, the sleeve valve closes the equalizing ports so that there is no oommunication between the annular space above and below the packer.

When it is desired to collapse the packer and retrieve .the assembly, the sleeve valve is moved upward. As the sleeve valve moves upward, the port of the central bore is uncovered so that the pressure of the tluid above the packer will be equalized with the pressure below the packer. Additionally, the port of the passageway in the mandrel, which communicates with the aforesaid chamber, is uncovered so that the iluid in the chamber may ilow through the portV to the outside of the bridge plug assembly above the packer. Since the pressure on the fluid in the chamber is relieved, the packer sleeve can be pulled completely upward to allow the packer to collapse. When the packer is fully collapsed, the slip type anchor can be retracted by operating the anchor I-slot means to release the Wedge sleeve. The assembly is then free from the well wall and can be pulled up out of the well or moved to a new location.

This preferred embodiment of the invention is illusf trated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a bridge plug assembly of thisV invention suspended in a well casing before being set;

[FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the bridge plug assembly after it has been set in the well casing;

FIGURE 3 is a quarter-sectional view of the top portion of the bridge plug assembly;

. FIGURE-4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the shape of the upper J-slot which is shown in section in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4a is a fragmentary `elevational view showing the shape of the' intermediate I-slot which is shown in section in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a quarter-sectional View of the intermediate portion of the bridge plug assembly, sho-wing the packer and the slip type anchor;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the shape of the I-slot of the anchor, as shown in section in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a quarter-sectional view of the lower portion of the bridge plug assembly;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sleeve Valve for the packer;

FIGURE 9 is a quarter-sectional view of the top portion of the bridge plug assembly after the pacller has been set; and

FIGURE l is a quarter-sectional view of the intermediate portion of the bridge plug assembly after the slips and the packer have been set.

Referring to FIGURES l and 3 of the drawings, the bridge plug of this invention is shown as suspended in a well casing 1 on the end of a tubing string, shownin phantom in FIGURES 1 and 2. An overshot 2 at the top of the bridge plug is adapted to be secured to the end of the tubing string. An overshot nose 3 is threadably secured to the lower end of the overshot 2, Mounted within the overshot 2 and overshot nose 3 is a I -slot sleeve 4. A I-slot 5 formed in the outer surface of sleeve 4 has the configuration shown in elevation in FIGURE 4. A pin 6 is secured to the overshot 2 and extends into the I-slot 5. Secured to the top of the I-slot sleeve 4 is a plug 7. The plug has a frusto conical portion which abuts against an interior shoulder S of the overshot 2. The plug 7 is provided with a passageway 9 which affords iluid communication between the tubing string and the interior of the J -slot sleeve 4.

A cylindrical I-slot body IG is mounted within the I- slot sleeve 4. The body It), while shown as solid in the illustrated bridge plug embodiment of the invention so as to seal the central tool passage, may include an axial passage where the tool is to be employed as a production packer. In the production packer embodiment, the passageway 9 in the plug '7 is enlarged and preferably is an axial passageway through the top of the plug. A J-slot Il is provided on the outer surface of the body I@ and has the configuration shown in FIGURE 4a. An elongated pin I2 is secured to the I-slot sleeve 4 and extends into the I-slot Il. Secured to the lower end of the body il@ is an intermediate, radially ported bypass sleeve i3. The sleeve I3 is secured against rotation relative to the body lil by a set screw M A sleeve valve i5 is telescopingly mounted over the bypass sleeve I3 and threadably secured to the interior of the I -slot sleeve 4.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, an upper mandrel I6 is mounted within the bypass sleeve t3 and threadably secured to the lower end of the sleeve I3. A lower mandrel 17 is secured to the lower end of the upper mandrel I6 yby screw threads and a set screw IS prevents rotation of the lower mandrel I7 relative to the upper mandrel I6. An annular packer assembly is mounted on the upper mandrel 16. The packer assembly, comprising packer members 19 which are separated by a spacer ring 2t), is supported at its lower end by the upper end of the lower mandrel 17 and a packer shoe 2l, which is secured to the end of the mandrel 17. A packer deforming sleeve 22 is slidably mounted on the upper mandrel 16 so as to Ibe spaced from the sleeve i3 and abuts against the upper end of the packer member 19. As shown in FIGURE 3, a tubular extension 23 is secured to the interior of the upper end of the packer deforming sleeve 22. An internal shoulder 24 on the upper end of the tubular extension 23 is engageable with a flange 2S on the lower end of the sleeve valve 15.

An annular sealing member 26, as shown in FIGURE 5, is mounted in a ring 27 which is secured between the lower end of the bypass sleeve 13 and a shoulder 28 on the exterior of the upper mandrel I6. rifhe generally frusto conical shape of the outer periphery of the sealing member 26 permits uid to tlow in only one direction past the seal, i.e. downward through the space between the sleeve i3 and the deforming sleeve 22 into an annular chamber 29 formed between the exterior of the upper mandrel i6 and the interior of the compression sleeve 22. If the pressure of the luid in the chamber 29 exceeds that of the fluid above the sealing lmember 26, it closes and blocks the flow of iluid out of the chamber 29, Thus the seal 26 operates as a one-way valve. Passageways, which bypass the sealing member 26, are provided by a plurality of slots 3i) formed in the exterior surface of the upper mandrel and bypassing the threaded junction of the mandrel 16 and the sleeve 13, which slots communicate with an annular recess 3l formed in the periphery of the mandrel 3l, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. The recess 3i. terminates adjacent radial ports 32 extending through the bypass sleeve I3. Ports 33 in the sleeve valve 15 are provided which, as illustrated, may be placed in alignment with the ports 32 in the bypass sleeve 13. Additional ports 3d are provided in the sleeve valve 15 adjacent to the primary ports 33 so that if the former become clogged, the secondary ports 34 may be moved into alignment with the bypass ports 32. The ports 33 permit communication between the nid chamber 29 and the exterior of the bridge plug. A bleed port 35 through the wall of the packer deforming sleeve 22 admits fluid from the well annulus at the exterior of the bridge plug to the interior of the sleeve and to the chamber 29.

An expansible slip type anchor is mounted on the lower mandrel I7, below the packer assembly, as shown in FIGURE 5. A wedge sleeve 36 is secured to the lower mandrel I7 by a threaded safety joint 37. Shear pins 3S are mounted in the wedge sleeve 35 to prevent relative rotation between the wedge sleeve and the lower mandrel 17. A I-slot 39 is formed in the outer surface of the wedge sleeve 36. The I -slot 39, which controls the movement of the slips, is shown in elevation in FIGURE 6. A slip carrying sleeve 4i) is slidably mounted on the wedge sleeve 36 and a pin 41, which is mounted on the lower end of the sleeve 49, extends into the I-slot 39. The sectional view in FIGURE 5 shows the pin 41 in the elongated portion of the I -slot 39. When the tool is being run, however, the pin 41 is lodged in a recess in the slot, position A in FIGURE 6, and it is moved to the elongated portion of the slot, position B, when it is desired to expand the slips. A lock ring 52 is threadably secured to the lower end of the wedge sleeve 36 to facilitate assembly of the slip retaining sleeve on the wedge sleeve.

In the upper portion of the slip retracting sleeve 40, a. plurality of openings 43 are spaced circumferentally around the sleeve. Within each of these openings 43, a slip 44 is mounted. The slips are confined against longitudinal or transverse motion by the edges of the openings 43. The base of the slip is disposed against the surface of the lower mandrel I7. The base of the slip 44 is in the form of two wedge portions extending outward from the center of the base. The lower wedge portion cooperates with a wedge 45 formed on the upper end of the wedge sleeve 36. rI`he upper wedge portion is adapted to cooperate with a wedge formed on mandrel 17 in a manner to `be hereafter described. Slip retracting springs 46 are mounted on the outer surface of the slip carrying sleeve it and extend into the opening 43 to engage the bottom of a slot 47 in each slip to urge the slips against the lower mandrel 17, In their retracted position, the slips 44 do not extend through the opening 43.

Drag springs 43 are mounted in slots 49 in the surface of the slip sleeve and are spaced around the circumference of the sleeve 40 between the openings 43. The springs 4S are ybowed outward to engage the casing 1. They are secured to the sleeve 4) by means of screws 50 at each end.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the lower mandrel 17 extends downward below the anchor assembly and a junk catcher Si is threadably secured to the lower end of the lower mandrel 17. A screen 52 is secured to the lower end of the junk catcher 51 and a bore 53 through the center of 5 the junk catcher 51 communicates between the screen 51 and the interior of the lower mandrel 17.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 5 and 8, the'lower mandrel 17 and the upper mandrel 16 are hollow and the upper mandrel 16 terminates adjacent a series of ports 54 spaced around the circumference of the ported sleeve 13. Corresponding port-s 55 in the sleeve valve 15, when aligned with the ports 54 in the bypass sleeve 13 provide communication between the exterior of the bridge plug above the packer and below the packer. A series of O-rings 56 and 57 are provided on the bypass sleeve 13 to prevent fluid from ilowing between the sleeve 13 and the sleeve valve 15.

The J-slots, shown in elevation in FIGURES 4, 4a, and 6, are the mean-s for actuating selectively the various subassemblies ofthe retractable bridge plug. When the depth is reached at which it is desired to expand and set the packer, the slips 44 are actuated tomove outward against the surface of the casing to anchor the assembly against vertical displacement in the casing. The slips 44 are set by rotating the tubing string clockwise and, at the same time, applying a downward force to the tubing string. The clockwise rotational force applied to the overshot 2 by the string is transmitted to the pin 12 inasmuch as the lovershot 2 and the sleeve 4 are interlocked by the J-slot 5 and the pin 6 during the setting operation of the tool. The pin 1 2 thus will move to the left, as shown in FIGURE 4a to rotate the body 10 by engaging the wall of the J-slot 11. As the body 1th is rigidly secured to the wedge sleeve 36 through means of the ported sleeve 16, upper mandrel 16, and lower mandrel 17, clockwise movement of the string 2 will eiect corresponding clockwise movement of the J-slot 39' on the wedge sleeve 36. The drag springs 43 resist the axial and rotational movement of the assembly since they are wedged against the wall of the casing 1. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 6, the pin 41, which is mounted on Vthe sleeve 4t?, remain-s stationary while the wedge sleeve 36 and its J-sl-ot 39'rotate clockwise, or to the left as viewed in FIGURE 6. This movement permits the pin 41 to move from the locked position A shown in dotted lines, to the elongated portion of the slot, i.e. position B, as shown in full lines. When the pin 41 is in the elongated portion of the I-slot 39, the mandrel 17 may be moved downward relative to the slips 44 and the retaining sleeve 40, as shown in FIGURE 10. As the mandrel 17 moves downward, the slips ride up on a cylindrical wedge 56 formed in the surface of the mandrel 17. In this manner the slips are'radially extended to engage the interior surface of the casing 1, therebyV preventing downward movement of the packer assembly relative to the casing 1.

While running the tool in the well, the drag springs, acting through pin 41, the top of the elongated slot portion of slot 39, the sleeve 36, the mandrels 16 and 17, sleeve 13 and body 10, will position pin 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 4a, in the bottom of the upper notch of J-slot 11, Normally, during slip setting, the pin 12 will remain in this notch 11 so that downward force may be transmitted to the slip setting mechanism through the pin 12. After the slips hav-e been set, however, the continued application of clockwise rotational force to the string will cause the pin 12 to forcibly cam out of this notch and move leftward as shown in FIGURE 4a into the vertically elongated portion or the slot.

Downward pressure on the tubing string then causes the pin 12 to move downward in the slot 111, as shown in FIGURE 9. During this downward movement, the lower end of the I -slot sleeve 4 engages the end of the tubular extension 2'3 and transmitsthe downward force rthrough the compression sleeve 22 to the packer sleeves 19. As the compression sleeve 22 moves downward, the fluid chamber 29 becomes enlarged, as will be seen from a comparison of FIGURES 5 and 10. The expanding chamber 29 draw-s fluid through the bleed port 35 and past the sealing ring 26. When the sleeve 4 moves down- 'aisance ward, it carries with it the sleeve valve 15 so that the valve openings 55, 33 and 34 move' out of alignment with their respective ports 54 and 32. This movement of the sleeve valve' prevents iiuid from flowing out of the chamber 29 and, since the seal 26 operates as a one-way valve, the iluid in the cham-ber 29 cannot escape. The trapped fluid in the chamber forms a positive lock against displace ment of the compression sleeve 22 and collapse of the packer sleeves 19.

After the packer has been set, the overshot can be removed fromthe casing. This is accomplished by pulling up on the tubing string and rotating it clockwise, or to the right as seen in FIGURE 4. The pin 6 in the overshot 2 moves into the widened portion of its J-slot 5 and, since its top is open, the overshot can be removed from the sleeve 4 by moving the string upwardly. The bridge plug is thus set and the fio-w of fluid through the plug is completely blocked since the ports 54 are closed by the valve sleeve 15 and the body 10 prevents fluid from flowing above these ports. While the set packer assembly is normally secured by engagement of the slips with wedge 5S, it is apparent that excessive upward force imposed on the assembly sutiicient to interrupt this engagement will .merely move the assembly parts to cause the slips t-o engage the wedged upper end 45 of sleeve 36 so as to resecure the slips against the casing 1.

The bridge plug may be retracted and retrieved by running -the oversho-t 2 on the end of the tubing string so that the pin 6 engages the J-slot S in the sleeve 4. Counterclockwise rotation of the tubing string causes the pin 6 .to en-ter the elongated portion of the I-slot 5. Pulling up on the tubing string then moves the pin 6 to the upper end of the elongated portion of the I-slot 5 and exerts an upward pressure on the J -slot sleeve 4 and on the sleeve valve 15 causing them to move upward. When the valve sleeve 15 reaches the top of its str-oke, the ports 33 will be in alignment with the ports 32 which communicate with the chamber 29 so that the trapped lluid in the chamber can flow outward through the ports 33 to the exterior of the bridge plug, thus relieving the pressure on the uid in the chamber. At the same time, or before, the valve openings 55 in the .sleeve valve 15 are aligned with the' ports 54. When the ports 54 are uncovered, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 8, fluid may ow through the bridge plug. The pressure above and below the packer is thus equalized through the p-assages extend-ing through Ithe cen-ter of the upper and lower manfdrels 16 and 17. Upon further upward movement of the sleeve 4, the

an'ge 25 on the sleeve engages the shoulder 24 on the extension 23 of the compression sleeve. Upward movement of the compression sleeve 22 releases the pressure on the packer sleeves 19 and they contract to the position shown in FIGURE 5.

Since there is au upward pull on the tubing string, the load on the slips 4 is released as soon as the packer retracts. The drag springs 47 resist upward movement and, as the tubing string is raised, the wedge portion of the lower mandrel 17 can be pulled upward and the slips 44 are retracted into the slip retaining sleeve 40 by the springs 46. A counterclockwise torque applied to the tubing string 'moves the pin 41 in the I-slot 39 from the position B shown in solid lines in FIGURE 6 to the position C shown in dotted lines, to prevent t-he slips 44 from riding down on the wedge 45 of the J-slot sleeve 36. The bridge plug is then free ot the w-all of the casing rand can be removed lfrom the bore hole.

If the slips 44 do notV disengage from the casing 1, or if they ride down on the wedge por-tion 45 of the I-slot sleeve 36 to engage the casing 1, release may be effected by a clockwise rotation of the tubing string with suicient force to shear the pin 38. Continued rotation causes the threaded safety joint 37 to be released so that the I -slot .sleeve 36 is freed to drop downward away from the slips 44. Then, as the tubing string is raised out of the casing,

the junk catcher 5l engages the slip retaining sleeve 40 and the entire assembly is removed from the casing.

In describing the structural details of a preferred embodiment of the well packer apparatus of this invention, the substantial operational advantages of the unit have been made apparent. As demonstrated, the act of setting the packer element in and of itself is sufficient to actuate the set-packer holding mechanism. The holding mechanism, it is to be noted, achieves a reliable holding action with ambient pressure well bore fluids and thus avoids the utilization of dangerous and diicult-to-handle high pressure hydraulic or duid systems. Of particular significance is the ease with which the packer assembly may be retrieved. Mere upward movement of a sleeve valve is effective to equalize pressure across the packer, permit bleeding of the holding fluid, and release a packer compressing sleeve.

In addition to the several operational advantages, the well packer of this invention is characterized by `a unique structural simplicity which insures ease and reliability of operation and contributes substantially to the reduction of packer maintenance and servicing.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A retrievable well packer comprising a mandrel, an expansible slip type anchor mounted in telescoping relation on the mandrel, means for selectively expanding the slips of the anchor, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve mounted on the mandrel adjacent to the packer, said sleeve being movable axially on the mandrel to expand the packer, a sleeve valve mounted on the mandrel and movable -axially thereof, said sleeve valve having a shoulder thereon in position to engage the compression sleeve, a slot in the mandrel adjacent the sleeve valve, and a pin on the sleeve valve extending into the slot, said slot being contoured for selectively controlling rotational and axial movement of the compression sleeve relative to the mandrel to expand the packer.

2. A retrievable well packer with pressure relief comprising a mandrel, an expansible slip type anchor mounted on the mandrel, means for selectively expanding the slips of the anchor, an expansible paclier mounted lon the mandrel, a compression sleeve mounted in telescoping relation on the mandrel adjacent to the packer and adapted for axial movement on the mandrel to expand the packer, said mandrel having an axial passageway therethrough communicating between the well bore above and below the packer, and a sleeve valve mounted on the mandrel, said sleeve valve cooperating with the mandrel to close the passageway in the mandrel, said sleeve valve having ports therein and having a shoulder thereon in position to engage the compression sleeve to expand the packer, said ports being spaced axially on the sleeve relative to the shoulder whereby the passageway is closed before expansion of the packer and opened before contraction of the packer.

3. A iuid control device for securing an expansiblc well packer against collapse comprising a mandrel, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve, means mounting the sleeve in telescoping relation on the mandrel adjacent the packer for axial movement relative to said mandrel, a sleeve valve having a shoulder in position to engage the sleeve, means mounting the sleeve valve for axial movement on the mandrel, said sleeve having a portion thereof spaced from the mandrel forming a tiuid chamber therebetween, the fluid capacity of said chamber increasing as said sleeve moves relative to the mandrel to expand the packer, one-way valve means in said sleeve permitting the iow of fluid only into the chamber, said chamber communicating with said sleeve valve, said sleeve valve having a port therein, and means for selectively displacing said sleeve valve relative to the mandrel for draining the fluid from the chamber to permit the packer to collapse.

e. A retrievable wall packer with pressure relief comprising an mandrel, an cxpansible slip type anchor mounted on the mandrel, means for selectively expanding the slips `of the anchor, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve mounted in tclescoping relation on the mandrel in end abutting relation therewith, a sleeve valve mounted in teleseoping relation on the mandrel, iirst rotary cam means connecting said mandrel and said sleeve valve, second rotary cam means connecting said slip expanding means and said mandrel, drag springs on said slip expanding means in position for engaging the well bore thereby preventing rotation of the slip expanding means relative to the mandrel, said mandrel having an axial passageway therein communicating with the exterior of the mandrel above and below the packer, said sleeve valve having ports therein in position for closing communication through said passageway when said packer is expanded, whereby upon rotation of the sleeve the second rotary cam is operated permitting expansion of the slips and upon further rotation said iirst rotary cam means is operated permitting expansion of the packer.

5. A retrieva'ole well packer with pressure relief comprising a mandrel, an expansible slip type anchor mounted on the mandrel, means for selectively expanding the slips of the anchor, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrei, a compression sleeve mounted in telescoping relation on the mandrel in end abutting relation with said packer, a sleeve valve mounted in telescoping relation on the mandrel, rirst rotary cam means connecting said mandrel and said sleeve valve, said rst rotary cam means having a first radial position and a second radial position of said sleeve relative to said mandrel, said rotary cam means being movable between said first and second positions upon rotation of the sleeve relative to the mandrel and including means for preventing axial movement of said sleeve relative to the mandrel in said first radial position and permitting axial movement of the sleeve relative to the mandrel in the second radial position, second rotary cam means between the slip expanding means and said mandrel, drag springs on said slip expanding means in position for engaging the well bore, thereby preventing rotation of the slip expanding means relative to the mandrel, said mandrel having an axial passageway therein communicating with the exterior of the mandrel above and below the packer, said sleeve valve having ports therein in position for closing communication through said passageway when said packer is expanded, whereby upon rotation of the sleeve the second rotary cam means is operated permitting expansion of the slips and upon further rotation said lrst rotary cam means is moved to the second rotary position for expanding the packer upon axial movement of the compression sleeve.

6. In a retrievable well packer of the type having a mandrel, an expansible slip type anchor on the mandrel, means for expanding the slips against the well bore, and a compression sleeve mounted coaxially on the mandrel and having one end thereof in abutting relation with said packer, the improvement comprising a sleeve valve mounted for axial movement on the mandrel, said compression sleeve having an interior portion thereof spaced radially from the mandrel forming a chamber therebetween, one way valve means permitting the entry of fluid into the chamber, a drain passageway communicating with the chamber and terminating in a port, said sleeve valve extending across the port and having an opening therein in position to register with said port, said sleeve valve having a shoulder in position to engage said compression sleeve upon axial displacement of the sleeve valve toward the compression sleeve for expanding the packer, said sleeve valve shoulder being spaced from said opening whereby upon axial displacement of the sleeve valve toward the compression sleeve, the opening moves out of registry with the port before the shoulder engages the compression sleeve and the fluid is trapped in the chamber as the compression sleeve expands the packer.,

7. In a retrievable well packer of the type having a mandrel, an expansible slip type anchor on the mandrel, means for expanding the slips against the well bore, and a compression Ysleeve mounted coaxially ori the mandrel and having one end thereof in abut-ting relation with said packer, the improvement comprising a sleeve valve mounted for axial movement on the mandrel, said compression sleeve having an interior portion thereof spaced radially from the mandrel forming a chamber therebetween, one way valve means permitting the entry of fluid into the chamber, a drain passageway communicating with the chamber and terminating in a port, said sleeve valve extending across the, port and having an opening therein `in position toV register with said port, said sleeve valve having a shoulder. in position to engage said compression sleeve upon axial displacement of the sleeve valve toward the compression sleeve for `expanding the packer and a lange in position to engage said compression sleeve upon axial displacement away from the packer, said shoulder and said lange on said sleeve valve being spaced axially relative to the opening whereby the opening moves out of registry with the port thereby trapping fluid in the chamber when the packer is being expanded and the opening moves into registry with the port before retraction of the packer is begun thereby draining fluid from the chamber.

8. In a well packer of the type having a tubular mandrel and an expansible packer around the mandrel adapted to form a fluid tight seal with a surrounding well casing, packer setting apparatus comprising an expansible slip type anchor on the mandrel, means for expanding the slips of said anchor against the well bore, a compression sleeve mounted on the mandrel in abutting relation with the packer and movable axially of the mandrel to expand the packer, said mandrel and said compression sleeve forming a chamber therebetween, the Walls of said chamber having such a configuration that .the volume of the chamber increases as the sleeve moves axially to compress the packer, valve means for permiting only the How of lluid into the chamber, said slip type anchor being on the opposite side of the packer from the compression sleeve, and means for selectively draining fluid from the chamber to permit the packer to collapse.

9. A retrievable well packer with automatic pressure relief -comprising a mandrel, an expansible slip type anchor mounted on the mandrel, means for selectively expanding the slips of the anchor, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve mounted on the mandrel adjacent to the packer and adapted for axial movement on the mandrel to expand the packer, said mandrel having an axial passageway therethrough communicating between the well bore above and below the packer, a sleeve valve mounted on the mandrel, said mandrel and said compression sleeve forming a chamber therebetween, the walls of said chamber having such a configuration that the volume of the chamber increases as the sleeve moves axially to compress the packer, one-Way valve means for permiting only the flow of iluid into the charnber, means forming a conduit extending from the chamber and terminating in an opening adjacent the sleeve valve, said sleeve valve having ports and a shoulder thereon in position to engage the compression sleeve to expand the packer and a ilange thereon in position to retract the compression sleeve after the packer is expanded, said ports being in position on the sleeve valve to close the passageway and the opening before the shoulder engages the compression sleeve to expand the packer and to open the lpassageway and the opening before the flange engages the compression sleeve to collapse the packer, whereby fluid in the chamber is released and fluid flows through the mandrel passageway to equalize the pressure above and below the packer.

l@ y 1Q. Aretrievablewell packer comprising a mandrel, an expansible ,slipV type anchor mounted on the mandrel, an

expansiblepacler mounted on the mandrel, a compression press the packer, one-way valve `means for permitting only the flow offluid into the chamber, means forming a conduit extending from the chamber and terminating in an opening adjacent the sleeve valve, said sleeve Valve having ports and a shoulder thereonl in position to engage the compression s'leeveto expand the packer and a flange thereon ,in position to retract `the compression sleeve after the paci-er expanded, said ports being spaced axially on .the sleeve valve to close the passageway and the opening before the lshoulder engages the compression sleeve to expand the packer and to open the passageway and the opening before the flange engages the compression sleeve to collapse the packer, thereby releasing the fluid in the chamber and .allowing fluid to flow through the mandrel conduit to equalize .the pressure above and below the packer, means for controlling rotational and axial movement ofthe sleeve valve relative to the mandrel and means for controlling rotation-al and axial movement of the anchor, said sleeve valve controlling means and anchor controlling means cooperating for sequentially expanding the anchor, closing the passageway and the opening, expanding the packer, opening the passageway and the opening, collapsing the packer and retracting the anchor.

11. A control device for preventing accidental collapse of an expansible well packer comprising a mandrel, an

` expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve, means mounting the sleeve in telescoping relation on the mandrel adjacent the packer for axial movement relative to said mandrel, said sleeve having a portion thereof spaced from the mandrel forming a uid chamber therebetween, the fluid capacity of said chamber increasing as said sleeve moves relative to the mandrel to expand the packer, one-way valve means in said sleeve permitting the flow of fluid only into the chamber, conduit means communicating with said chamber, a sleeve Valve mounted on said mandrel and having a port therein in position for selectively opening and closing communication between the conduit and the exterior of the sleeve valve upon axial movement of the sleeve valve relative to the mandrel, means for controlling the relative axial and rotational movement between said mandrel and the sleeve valve, whereby the fluid is trapped in the chamber temporarily to prevent the packer from collapsing.

12. A control device for preventing accidental collapse of an expansible well packer comprising a mandrel, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve, means mounting the sleeve in telescoping relation on .the mandrel adjacent the packer for axi-al movement relative to said mandrel, said sleeve having a portion thereof spaced from the mandrel forming a fiuid chamber therebetween, the fluid capacity of said chamber increasing as said sleeve moves relative to the mandrel to expand the packer, one-way valve means in said sleeve permitting the flow of iluid only into the chamber, means for applying an axial force to said compression sleeve independently of the fluid in said chamber, and valve means for selectively draining the uid from the chamber to permit the packer to collapse.

13. A retrievable well packer with pressure relief comprising amandrel, an expansible slip type anchor mounted on the mandrel, means for selectively expanding the slips of the anchor, an expansible packer mounted on the mandrel, a compression sleeve mounted in telescoping rela- T l. tion on the mandrel in end abutting relation therewith, a sleeve valve mounted in telescoping relation on the mandrel, i'rst rotary cam means connecting said mandrel and said sleeve valve, second rotary cam means connecting said slip expanding means and said mandrel, drag springs on said slip expanding means in position for engaging the well bore, said rst and second cam means sequentially operating the slip expanding means and axial displacement of the sleeve valve relative to the mandrel, said compression sleeve having an interior portion thereof spaced radially from the mandrel forming a chamber therebetween, one-way valve means permitting the entry of iuid into `the chamber, a drain passageway communicating with the chamber and terminating in a port, said sleeve valve extending across the port and having an opening therein in position to register with said lport, said sleeve valve having a shoulder in position to engage said cornpression sleeve upon axial displacement of the Sleeve valve toward the compression sleeve for expanding the packer, said sleeve Valve shoulder being spaced from said opening whereby upon axial displacement of the sleeve valve toward the compression sleeve, the opening moves out of registry with the port before the shoulder engages the compression sleeve and the fluid is trapped in the chamber as the compression sleeve expands the packer.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 249,288 ll/Sl Dower 166-184 605,756 6/98 Smith 166-184 1,912,804 6/33 Tilbury 166-184 2,222,846 lvl/40 Johnston 16d-184 2,323,989 7/43 Fullerson 166-129 2,663,307 12/53 Birdwell 166l84 2,753,940 7/56 Bonner 166-184 2,982,358 5/61 Brown 166-201 3,045,755 7/62 Page et al 166-201 BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

2O CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner. 

1. A RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER COMPRISING A MANDREL, AN EXPANSIBLE SLIP TYPE ANCHOR MOUNTED IN TELESCOPING RELATION ON THE MANDREL, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY EXPANDING THE SLIPS OF THE ANCHOR, AN EXPANSIBLE PACKER MOUNTED ON THE MANDREL, A COMPRESSION SLEEVE MOUNTED ON THE MANDREL ADJACENT TO THE PACKER, SAID SLEEVE BEING MOVABLE AXIALLY ON THE MANDREL TO EXPAND THE PACKER, A SLEEVE VALVE MOUNTED ON THE MANDREL AND MOVABLE AXIALLY THEREOF, SAID SLEEVE VALVE BEING A SHOULDER THEREON IN POSITION TO ENGAGE THE COMPRESSION SLEEVE, A SLOT IN THE MANDREL ADJACENT THE SLEEVE VALVE, AND A PIN ON THE SLEEVE VALVE EXTENDING INTO THE SLOT, SAID SLOT BEING CONTOURED FOR SELEC- 